Contact
Search
Navigation
Open? → Yes
Fri, Nov 22nd
12-6PM

Events

Creative Alliance | Dance Performance
All Day
Featured Featured

2nd Annual Charm City Burlesque & Variety Festival

The 2nd Annual Charm City Burlesque and Variety Festival runs Friday September 27 through Saturday September 28, 2024 at Baltimore’s Creative Alliance, home to some of Baltimore’s first burlesque and variety shows. Burlesque is many things. It is sexy. It is sly. It is seductive. It shines a light on the morals and foibles of modern life and mocks them openly. In Baltimore, Burlesque is all of those things, and it is also unabashedly weird, strange, dark, funny, and a little bit twisted. Baltimore’s burlesque and variety stages have always welcomed the different and the avant-garde. Baltimore marvels in the filthy, the strange, the strangely beautiful, and the sometimes questionable and it makes it its own. The Charm City Burlesque & Variety Festival celebrates all.

Shimmy & Strut w/ Naimah

Let's get Ssssslinky! This fun and sassy workshop is for burlesque performers who want to explore belly dance movement. Spice up your act with thunderous shimmies, ooey gooey undulations, eye-popping isolations, and more. This class is designed to pull you out of your comfort zone and bring forth an all-new level of self-confidence with emphasis on style, grace, stage presence, and properly executed dance technique along with muscle control. This class also includes a brief discussion on similarities between the two art forms. The objective is to combine the snaky movements of belly dance with theatrical elements of burlesque to create movement that is visually stunning and impactful.

Hosting Diverse Audiences w/ Mx. Eden

Ladies and gentlemen..." *yikes* we're already off to a bad start. Burlesque audiences are just as diverse as the world we live in. And it's a host's job to make every attendee of every race, gender, and body size feel welcome. In this workshop, we'll discuss gender-neutral greetings and other inclusive language every host should have in their vocabulary. This workshop is open to seasoned hosts looking to brush up their skills, performers hoping to step into the role of host, and producers who want to curate more identity-affirming shows.

Dance Like a Diva w/ GiGi Holliday

Step into the spotlight and unleash your inner burlesque star as you learn the art of commanding the stage and owning it like a true diva. This class is designed to teach you the essential elements that elevate a burlesque performance, combining charisma, confidence, and attitude to leave a lasting impression on your audience. In this class, you'll be guided through a 2-4 minute routine that covers aspects of a burlesque star performance. From learning choreography that complements your style to mastering the art of costume removal with flair, you'll acquire the skills and stage presence to captivate any audience.

Makeup Tips & Tutorial w/ Kit Valentine

Want to improve your makeup skills, learn something new, or just try something different? Learn from a master. Drag Queen Kit Valentine, the current reigning Miss Western Maryland, will show you the art of contouring, brow definition, achieving a dramatic look for the eyes, and more!

Beyond the Basics: Burlesque Costuming for All Levels w/ Bebe Bardeaux

Learn the art of creating stage-ready costumes that enhance your performance and captivate your audience! From corsets and feathers to rhinestones and appliques, discover how to craft costume "regalia" that tells a story and elevates your burlesque, drag, and other performance art to new heights. We'll cover beginner and intermediate sewing techniques for burlesque, but no prior sewing experience is necessary. Whether you're just starting or looking to refine your skills, this class offers practical tips and creative inspiration to help you shine on stage.

Tickets

Buy your tickets online, in person, or over the phone by calling 410-276-1651. Members save $3 on almost every show!

Our Box Office is currently open from Noon to 6pm on Fridays and Saturdays and one hour before all ticketed events. We accept cash, cards, and checks. Service fees are waived for in-person ticket purchases.

Become a Member Today! Check out your membership benefits
Creative Alliance | Halloween Lantern Parade
Check out your membership benefits
Be the First to Know Join our email list or follow us on social media
Creative Alliance | Performances
Join our email list or follow us on social media